Beginning: Oh, God, fourth year. Combining high-level courses, a Masters project and a minimum mark requirement of 65% in everything was... not easy. Nor particularly stressful. This did not combine well with only being able to see Beloved at weekends, and not all of those. My grandfather also had a heart operation in January, which went well. The main focus of the first half of 2012 was to survive until I could collapse with a 2:1, with a secondary focus of making sure I was able to continue to have a career.

I did it. Just - College could not have given me that viva had my marks been quite literally 0.1% lower, though I aced the viva itself - but I did it. Relief Blessed, glorious relief. Summer was mostly spent bumming about, with bit of on/off volunteering at Bletchley Park. Gained weight, lost money. Found somewhere to live. Enrolled on a one-year, funded MSc in Shock Physics. Started actually doing that. Life is no longer stress-free, but I am finding myself much better able to cope than even six short months ago. Deal with the inevitable problems of Flat: bedbugs, broken shower, landlord being rubbish, mould. This is, of course, ongoing. Exam at the end of the year. Didn't go brilliantly, it must be said, but this doesn't seem to have been a problem unique to me. Set a wedding date (3rd August). Suffered the inevitable fights with family over it. This is also somewhat ongoing.

In short, 2012 was a Good Year, overall. I am much better mentally, and much the same physically. 2013 has strong potential to be even better. Here's hoping, and working, for that.

I'm sorry I haven't posted in actual years. I kept meaning to get around to it, then everything went to hell. For I'm not willing to go into on the internet, my parents are in the middle of a messy divorce. This has completely screwed over my student funding (as in they are basing the amount they give me on the combined incomes of my married parents). This has left me in headf*ck city.

In recent news, I have a major deadline in 11 1/2 hours and I haven't finished the first draft of my report yet. I'm writing this in my federally mandated break awarded for reaching 1500 words of reviewing other people's drivel. I'm also mainlining caffeine in the form of tea and eating my discount scones, which leads me to have been having afternoon tea at five in the morning. Oh, university.

I'm not really feeling as bad as the ranty tone of the post makes out, btw. I just feel like a rant since I've been up since 8AM yesterday morning and I'm not going to be sleeping until about 8PM tonight (if I forgo supper).

English Genius

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

1. I have recently discovered a love of roleplaying, particularly LARP.2. I can sew quite well, despite being inexperienced.3. I have the cooking equivalent of "green fingers"4. I have recently shocked most of my old friends by dating a man ten years older than I am.5. I really want a PhD in physics, but don't know what branch yet6. I read www.xkcd.com. So should you.7. If I ever have a daughter, I'll name her Cecily Rose, after my grandmothers.8. If I had been born a boy, I would be called Alexander Michael. Instead, I'm named Rebecca Ann after my mother's brother.9. I have a weird sleep cycle. I drift until I hit 3-4AM to 11 AM, then stick there until I have to get up.10. I like to snuggle, but only with people I'm very close to.11. If you ever meet me, you'll discover that I make the most *terrible* puns.12. I would like to be a better person, but I don't know how to be.13. I have very firm opinions on wardrobe solutions. Preferably, blouses and jeans or skirts.14. I have an American passport, despite having lived all my life in England.15. I have visited Israel, France and the US, but never Wales.16. I am not dyslexic, and am quite proud of this fact. Instead, I can get through an average-sized novel in two to four hours.

Screen is black, as we hear a terrific BANG.As the scene fades in, we see GERALD from behind, running across his front lawn. CHARITY is standing outside her car, and a prone body in the road - GERALD's WIFE.

CHARITY

She just ran straight out in front of me, she...

She sees GERALD, gets back into her car and drives away, tyres screaming. GERALD runs over to his WIFE, kneels beside her and discovers she is dead. Shaking, he pulls out his cellphone.